Improved railroad-signal



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

THOMAS STEAD, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

IMPROVED RAILROAD-SIGNAL.

Speciiicatiou forming part of Letters Patent No. 58,910, (lated October 16, 1866.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS STEM), of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Signals for Railroads, 85e.; and I do hereby declare that the following is a. full and complete description of the construction and operation ofthe saine, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specilication, in which- Figure l is a top view. Fig. 2 is a side view, and Fig. 3 an elevation.

Like letters refer to like parts.

My invention relates to the arrangement and manipulation of devices by which the signals are given, the red indicating "dauger7 and the white sat'ety My invention is especially applicable to the intersection of crossing of two tracks. Where it is necessary to give a signal at any angle ot' crossing, for this purpose I erect two signal-posts, A and B, the post A heilig designed f'or one track only, and is, consequently, sta tionary, while the post B is so placed as to be observed from both tracks, and is so constructed that it can he rotated upon an axis, so as to change the signals for either road at pleasure.

The usual colors ot' red and white are used to denote danger77 or safety," the red always denoting danger, red and white lights being used for the night and painted boards for the daytime.

In the stationary post the day-signals consist ofthe arms U D, which can be thrown out at right angles to the post at the top, as shown at O, by means of a lever, O', and connecting-rod C", or, by means of the same devices, (shown at 1)' D",) the signal-board can be depressed.

The night-signal, which is attached to this post, consists of a stationary lantern, E, showing a white light upon both the view sides. For the dangersigual a disk of red glass is interposed upon both sides between the light and the approaching car. The disk F is hinged, and operated by means of a lever, F', and connectingrod F", by which it can be elevated or depressed at pleasure. Thus a white or red light can be shown from either or both approaches, as desired; or a white light can be shown from one approach and a red light from the other.

1t is obvious that other colors, as blue or green, can be used for other kinds of signals.

The sigualvpost B is supported iu an upright position by means of an arm, B', through which thc post passes. To the lower end of the post B is attached, below the platform, a halt' wheel, G, around which a chain, G', passes. This chain G' is attached to another similar wheel, H, upoir the lower end of the capstanpost lil', at the same level with the wheel G.

By rotating the capstan H' one-quarter of a circle by means ot' the arm or lever I, the post B is also rotated one-quarter ot' a circle, the arm I falling into a notch iu the rim of the disk I', thus securing itin place.

A lantern, K, showing two white lights, one on each side and one, (red,) I", in front, is attached to the post B in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in which position a white light would be shown in both directions in a line parallel to those upon the post A; but a red light would be exhibited in any direction approaching a right angle thereto.

By changing the lever I to the position shown at l' a red light would be shown parallel to the lights of post A.

Day-signals L are attached to the post B in the usual manner, and are manipulated the saine as are the night-signals. In this way either one or both tracks=cau be signaled iu either or both directions, at pleasure.

YVhat I claim as my improvement, and de sire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The herein-described arrangement of the posts A B in relation to each other and the track, in combination with the lanterns E and K, when constructed and operated as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The wheels G and II and chain G', in combination with the post B and capstan H', lever I, and disk I', when arranged and operated as and for the purpose set forth.

i THOMAS STEAD.

Witnesses:

W. H. BUREIDGE, J. HOLMES. 

